HESI Exit Exam Comprehensive Review 2026 | Practice
Questions & Correct Answers | Verified Rationales |
Latest Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding requires immediate
intervention? A. Weight gain of 1 lb overnight B. Bilateral ankle edema C. Oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air D. Fatigue after walking
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia requiring prompt
intervention.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse review before administering heparin? A.
Hemoglobin B. Platelet count C. Sodium D. Creatinine
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia. Platelet count should be assessed
before administration.
3. A client with diabetes reports sweating, tremors, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action? A. Administer insulin B. Check the blood glucose level C. Encourage
exercise D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic symptoms of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be checked
immediately.
4. Which client should the nurse assess first? A. Postoperative client reporting pain
7/10 B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation dropped from 94% to 88% C.
Client requesting a sleeping pill D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority.
5. Which medication is expected to lower potassium levels? A. Spironolactone B.
Furosemide C. Lisinopril D. Losartan
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
, 6. Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity? A. Hypertension B. Blurred yellow vision C.
Increased appetite D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: Yellow vision and visual disturbances are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with peaked T waves on ECG? A.
Hypokalemia B. Hyperkalemia C. Hyponatremia D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves.
8. A nurse is teaching about warfarin. Which statement indicates understanding? A.
“I’ll eat unlimited spinach.” B. “I’ll report unusual bleeding.” C. “I don’t need blood
tests.” D. “I’ll stop the medication if bruising occurs.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Bleeding should be reported immediately.
9. Which client is at greatest risk for pressure injuries? A. Ambulatory client B. Client
on bed rest with limited mobility C. Client with seasonal allergies D. Client with
migraine headaches
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility is the greatest risk factor.
10. Which intervention helps prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections? A.
Routine irrigation B. Daily catheter replacement C. Maintain a closed drainage
system D. Disconnect tubing daily
Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a closed drainage system reduces infection risk.
11. Which insulin has the fastest onset? A. Regular B. Lispro C. NPH D. Glargine
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting.
12. Which assessment finding suggests dehydration? A. Bounding pulse B. Moist
mucous membranes C. Poor skin turgor D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
, Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign.
13. A client receiving morphine develops respiratory depression. Which medication
should the nurse prepare? A. Flumazenil B. Naloxone C. Protamine sulfate D.
Vitamin K
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects.
14. Which infection-control precaution is appropriate for tuberculosis? A. Contact B.
Droplet C. Airborne D. Standard only
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions.
15. Which finding is expected after administering furosemide? A. Increased blood
pressure B. Increased urine output C. Bradycardia D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic.
16. The nurse identifies which client as highest priority? A. Temperature 99.5°F B. Blood
glucose 110 mg/dL C. Chest pain with diaphoresis D. Mild nausea
Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain with diaphoresis may indicate myocardial infarction.
17. Which food is highest in potassium? A. Banana B. White bread C. Rice D.
Applesauce
Answer: A
Rationale: Bananas are rich in potassium.
18. Which client requires neutropenic precautions? A. WBC 2,000/mm³ B. Hemoglobin
12 g/dL C. Platelets 220,000/mm³ D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe leukopenia increases infection risk.
19. Which assessment finding indicates fluid overload? A. Dry mucous membranes B.
Crackles in lungs C. Sunken eyes D. Hypotension
Questions & Correct Answers | Verified Rationales |
Latest Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding requires immediate
intervention? A. Weight gain of 1 lb overnight B. Bilateral ankle edema C. Oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air D. Fatigue after walking
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia requiring prompt
intervention.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse review before administering heparin? A.
Hemoglobin B. Platelet count C. Sodium D. Creatinine
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia. Platelet count should be assessed
before administration.
3. A client with diabetes reports sweating, tremors, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action? A. Administer insulin B. Check the blood glucose level C. Encourage
exercise D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic symptoms of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be checked
immediately.
4. Which client should the nurse assess first? A. Postoperative client reporting pain
7/10 B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation dropped from 94% to 88% C.
Client requesting a sleeping pill D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority.
5. Which medication is expected to lower potassium levels? A. Spironolactone B.
Furosemide C. Lisinopril D. Losartan
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
, 6. Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity? A. Hypertension B. Blurred yellow vision C.
Increased appetite D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: Yellow vision and visual disturbances are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with peaked T waves on ECG? A.
Hypokalemia B. Hyperkalemia C. Hyponatremia D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves.
8. A nurse is teaching about warfarin. Which statement indicates understanding? A.
“I’ll eat unlimited spinach.” B. “I’ll report unusual bleeding.” C. “I don’t need blood
tests.” D. “I’ll stop the medication if bruising occurs.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Bleeding should be reported immediately.
9. Which client is at greatest risk for pressure injuries? A. Ambulatory client B. Client
on bed rest with limited mobility C. Client with seasonal allergies D. Client with
migraine headaches
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility is the greatest risk factor.
10. Which intervention helps prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections? A.
Routine irrigation B. Daily catheter replacement C. Maintain a closed drainage
system D. Disconnect tubing daily
Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a closed drainage system reduces infection risk.
11. Which insulin has the fastest onset? A. Regular B. Lispro C. NPH D. Glargine
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting.
12. Which assessment finding suggests dehydration? A. Bounding pulse B. Moist
mucous membranes C. Poor skin turgor D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
, Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign.
13. A client receiving morphine develops respiratory depression. Which medication
should the nurse prepare? A. Flumazenil B. Naloxone C. Protamine sulfate D.
Vitamin K
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects.
14. Which infection-control precaution is appropriate for tuberculosis? A. Contact B.
Droplet C. Airborne D. Standard only
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions.
15. Which finding is expected after administering furosemide? A. Increased blood
pressure B. Increased urine output C. Bradycardia D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic.
16. The nurse identifies which client as highest priority? A. Temperature 99.5°F B. Blood
glucose 110 mg/dL C. Chest pain with diaphoresis D. Mild nausea
Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain with diaphoresis may indicate myocardial infarction.
17. Which food is highest in potassium? A. Banana B. White bread C. Rice D.
Applesauce
Answer: A
Rationale: Bananas are rich in potassium.
18. Which client requires neutropenic precautions? A. WBC 2,000/mm³ B. Hemoglobin
12 g/dL C. Platelets 220,000/mm³ D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe leukopenia increases infection risk.
19. Which assessment finding indicates fluid overload? A. Dry mucous membranes B.
Crackles in lungs C. Sunken eyes D. Hypotension
